The Metabolic Revolution: GLP-1s, Obesity, and Weight Loss

Weight loss looks different these days. That’s thanks in large part to GLP-1 drugs that have transformed our view of weight loss and the metabolic health benefits it can bring, independent of the pounds coming off.

While the drugs have helped many people, they’ve also brought concerns and challenges.

As part of its broader exploration of metabolic health, Everyday Health recently surveyed 858 U.S. adults diagnosed with obesity or taking a GLP-1 drug for weight loss. The findings laid bare these realities and how they differ by factors such as diagnostic status and age.

Read on for key takeaways from the survey.

Source: Everyday Health Obesity/Weight Loss GLP-1 Patient Survey, August 2026

Among current and past users of GLP-1 drugs, satisfaction is high: The vast majority of those respondents said they were happy with their weight loss. But not everyone stays on GLP-1s. In our survey, most of those people also stopped and started the medication at least once due to concerns such as cost or side effects. Most who stopped also regained some of the weight they had lost.

Patients’ attitudes and experiences with GLP-1s vary by generation, the survey found. Younger individuals (millennials, Gen Z) tend to report higher levels of satisfaction with the drugs than older individuals (Gen X, baby boomers). GLP-1 use is more common among Gen Z than any other generation.

Interestingly, millennials and Gen Z tend to seek more lifestyle support when on GLP-1s than Gen X and baby boomers do.

Despite their resourcefulness, younger generations are more likely to view GLP-1s as a temporary tool rather than a long-term weight loss solution than Gen X and baby boomers. Experts say that’s not ideal, as GLP-1 drugs are meant to be taken long term.

Weight stigma was widespread in the survey, affecting a majority of respondents regardless of GLP-1 use. Generationally speaking, Gen Z was the most likely to report weight stigma, and baby boomers were the least likely. Meanwhile, people diagnosed with obesity reported more judgment, embarrassment, and self-consciousness than undiagnosed individuals. Respondents reported feeling stigma specific to GLP-1 use, too: A majority of diagnosed individuals said they commonly felt judged or pressured to justify their choice.

The No. 1 reason patients say they won’t start a GLP-1, and why they go off of a GLP-1, is fear of side effects, the survey found. Patients also said they were worried about what would happen if they stopped taking a GLP-1, and whether they have to take one forever.

Among those people diagnosed with obesity who have not yet taken a GLP-1, half expressed concerns about cost or lack of insurance coverage — an issue one expert we spoke with says she sees often in her practice. The survey also found that one-third of past GLP-1 users stopped using the drugs due to cost-related concerns.

Living with extra unwanted weight or an obesity diagnosis affects your life every day. To better understand the impact of excess weight, we asked respondents a handful of this vs. that–style questions.

Topics included financial health, love, well-being for family members, and personal health or weight goals.

Click on the tiles below to see what survey respondents said they would choose.

Source: Everyday Health Obesity/Weight Loss GLP-1 Patient Survey, August 2026